"I do not think humans are foolish. I have respect for people who live fulfilled lives." -Decim
This anime's OP is very misleading, and even the title would imply the nature of this show to be a bit different but it's a pleasant surprise it involves both life and death. This show explores, morality, aspects of life, and understanding not to take life for granted.
Story: Most episodes have their own little stories of certain characters, and goes in depth pretty well with most of them. The main characters don't really get much of their own episodes explaining their past and it's fed to you pretty slowly but it needs to be that way for this anime don't expect to know much about the two main characters till later. Main characters find more within themselves through the stories and fates of other characters in more of a observation environment through the main characters. Exploring the lives of people, the choices they made, and what characters learn from their lives is usually what happens in each episode, eventually all these experiences change the main character as he gets a taste of the feelings and life of people that he himself will never experience.
Art: The atmosphere in this anime is very detailed, and it's got a running theme of a other worldly place (that disguises itself as a bar with a bigger purpose). Very polished and I don't find any horrible examples of what I'd jokingly call "quality". Most animation isn't rushed, production value put into some of this was probably top tier. I'd like more modern anime to follow by example of how this show artistically constructs it's environment.
Sound: Some anime doesn't pay attention detail like this one has. The OST has a collection of great songs, the OP itself is one of the best I've seen. OST works well with the artistic representation of the bar theme, the two blend perfectly.
Characters: Most characters aren't bland side shows, they have their own stories, their own lives, and many times serve ultimately to help Decim a rather emotionaless character come to conclusions for himself that he wouldn't be able to without the help of his new assistant, The black haired woman. There are some characters that don't serve to much of a purpose but most are essential for the story.
I like being reminded of the beauty of life, sometimes I get wrapped up in a day to day flow, with trials and tribulations I go through which makes me forget the blessing and privilege I have to exist, live, and breath on this Earth. This anime is a reminder of what life is to me, and to value it more than ever. Rather than get wrapped up in things, it should be a priority to live a fulfilled life, because you never know when your time will be up.
